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Olympic torch: PC David Rathband's daughter carries flame blindfolded | Olympic torch: PC David Rathband's daughter carries flame blindfolded |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The daughter of PC David Rathband, who was blinded by gunman Raoul Moat, has carried the Olympic torch blindfolded in memory of her late father. | The daughter of PC David Rathband, who was blinded by gunman Raoul Moat, has carried the Olympic torch blindfolded in memory of her late father. |
Mia, 13, ran through Whitburn, South Tyneside, in place of her father who was nominated to take part in the relay but died in February. | Mia, 13, ran through Whitburn, South Tyneside, in place of her father who was nominated to take part in the relay but died in February. |
A torchbearer abseiled down Gateshead's Sage building to start day 29 of the relay which is travelling to Durham. | A torchbearer abseiled down Gateshead's Sage building to start day 29 of the relay which is travelling to Durham. |
Distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie also completed a leg. | |
PC Rathband was shot and blinded by Moat while sat in a patrol car in Newcastle in 2010. | PC Rathband was shot and blinded by Moat while sat in a patrol car in Newcastle in 2010. |
Despite his disability, he tried to rebuild his life and set up the Blue Lamp Foundation which helps emergency services personnel injured in the line of duty. | Despite his disability, he tried to rebuild his life and set up the Blue Lamp Foundation which helps emergency services personnel injured in the line of duty. |
On 29 February he was found hanged at his home in Blyth, Northumberland. | On 29 February he was found hanged at his home in Blyth, Northumberland. |
Following this Mia asked if she could run in his place. | Following this Mia asked if she could run in his place. |
The 43-year-old officer's widow Kath said: "It was a great honour for David to be nominated as a torchbearer by so many people and to be selected. | |
"I know he would be very proud to see his Mia carry the torch on his behalf." | |
Following Friday's ride on a zip-wire from the Tyne Bridge, the torch relay continued the theme of unusual methods of travel when it began Saturday's journey shortly after 07:00 BST. | Following Friday's ride on a zip-wire from the Tyne Bridge, the torch relay continued the theme of unusual methods of travel when it began Saturday's journey shortly after 07:00 BST. |
'Walk on water' | |
Richard Jackson, the first torchbearer of the day, carried the flame as he abseiled off The Sage, an iconic building which is a centre for musical education, performance and conferences, located on the south bank of the River Tyne. | |
About an hour later, the torch was taken around the athletics track at Gateshead International Stadium - the venue where, in 2006, Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell equalled his own then-world record of 9.77secs for the 100m. | About an hour later, the torch was taken around the athletics track at Gateshead International Stadium - the venue where, in 2006, Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell equalled his own then-world record of 9.77secs for the 100m. |
In South Shields, distance running legend Gebrselassie passed the flame to founder of the Great North Run and Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist Brendan Foster. | |
He then carried the flame to the spot where the famous run ends on the seafront. | |
After crossing the line Foster said: "It was a memorable moment for the people of South Tyneside, who will savour this occasion for ever." | |
Meanwhile Gebrselassie said: "The Olympics isn't just about winning medals, it's about people coming together and taking part." | |
In Sunderland, 1500m Olympic silver medallist Steve Cram carried the flame into Sunderland's Aquatic Centre where he stood on a boom in the pool. | |
Speaking after his "walk on water" moment, he said: "The purpose of the torch relay is to take the Olympics past your front door almost. | |
"It's one way people can get to the Olympics and feel as if they have just about touched it." | |
He also said he thought Team GB would have its "best Games ever". | |
TV presenter | |
Thousands flocked to see the flame as it visited the Angel of the North at about noon. | |
The Anthony Gormley-designed steel structure, which is 20m (65ft) and has a wing span of 54m (177ft), has stood on a hill on the southern edge of Low Fell since 1998. | |
The day's 99-mile journey will see the flame passed between 131 torchbearers, as the relay travels through Gateshead, South Shields, Whitburn, Sunderland, Gateshead: Low Fell, Gateshead: Blaydon, Prudhoe, Stocksfield, Hexham, Riding Mill, Consett, Moorside, Castleside, Tow Law, Esh, Langley Park and ends in Durham. | The day's 99-mile journey will see the flame passed between 131 torchbearers, as the relay travels through Gateshead, South Shields, Whitburn, Sunderland, Gateshead: Low Fell, Gateshead: Blaydon, Prudhoe, Stocksfield, Hexham, Riding Mill, Consett, Moorside, Castleside, Tow Law, Esh, Langley Park and ends in Durham. |
An evening celebration will take place at Durham University Racecourse. | An evening celebration will take place at Durham University Racecourse. |
The final leg of the relay will be run by BBC presenter Matt Baker, who will carry the torch in his home county of Durham. | The final leg of the relay will be run by BBC presenter Matt Baker, who will carry the torch in his home county of Durham. |
Baker, who co-hosts The One Show and was the runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, will light a cauldron on Durham University Racecourse, which will burn throughout the celebration evening. | Baker, who co-hosts The One Show and was the runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, will light a cauldron on Durham University Racecourse, which will burn throughout the celebration evening. |
The event will include performances by indie rock trio Little Comets and the award-winning Deerness Gymnastics Academy. | The event will include performances by indie rock trio Little Comets and the award-winning Deerness Gymnastics Academy. |
A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame during its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on 27 July. | A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame during its 8,000 mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on 27 July. |